Middlesbrough are in the hunt for Barcelona's Michael Reiziger, according to reports in Spain.

The defender is out of favour at the Nou Camp, and with fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal under pressure to quit as coach, Reiziger's future in Spain seems set to end long before his contract runs out in 2005.

Although the versatile 29-year-old, who has 56 caps, can operate in the centre of defence, he is primarily a rightback - a position Boro do not have much cover in.

However, Celtic are also in the hunt for a player also linked with Chelsea and Manchester United.

Reiziger's contract has a #20 million buy-out clause but with Barca keen to sell and the player eager to move on, a fee of around #5 million could be agreed.